A Survey of and Evaluation Methodology for Fiber Composite Material Failure Theories

Abstract

The long-standing problem of characterizing failure for fiber composite materials will be reviewed. Emphasis will be given to the lamina level involving nominally aligned fibers in a matrix phase. However, some consideration will also be given to laminate failure using the lamina form as the basic building block along with the concept of progressive damage. The many different lamina-level theories will be surveyed along with the commitment necessary to produce critical experimental data. Four particular theories will be reviewed and compared in some detail, these being the Tsai-Wu, Hashin, Puck, and Christensen forms. These four theories are reasonably representative of the great variety of different forms with widely different physical effects that can be encountered; also, for comparison, the rudimentary forms of maximum normal stress and maximum normal strain criteria will be given. The controversial problem of how many different individual modes of failure are necessary to describe general failure will receive attention. A specific and detailed methodology for evaluation of all the various theories will be formulated.